~~ RETYPED COPY -~ HEADQUARTERS, Joint Task Force SEVEN Washington 25, D.C. 10 November 1953 Appendix ITI to Annex N Radiological Safety CJTF SEVEN Operational Plan No. 3-53 HAZARDS RESULTING FROM ATOMIC BOMB EXPLOSION he eg tt . cecPAVTIVOERRIR LeasaN A RONSE.CY il smeANAM ARR faHLMUES 1. Nature of Hazards a. When an atomic bomb explosion occurs, tremendous quan frities of energy in a variety of forms are released. This energy is}propagated outward in all directions. b. The immediate reaction is intense emission of ultravic let, visible and infrared (heat) radiation, gamma rays and neutrons. his is ac- companied by the formation of a large ball of fire. Al ge part of the energy from the explosion is emitted as a shock wave The ball of fire produces a mushroom shaped mass of hot gas, the top Pf which rises rapidly. In the trail below the mushroom cap, a thfin column is left. The cloud and column are then carried downwind, t direction and speed being determined by the direction and speed of Fhe wind at the various levels of air from the surface to base of mushroom cap. Part of the energy from the explosion results in an ocean surface wave which is considered of minor nature directly to the task orce. c. All personnél of the task force will be well outside o the range of all hazard at the time of detonation, except for the 1 ght from the fire ball. The light of explosion is so intense that per anent injury to the eye may result from viewing the ball of fire at cl e range with the naked eye or through binoculars. Ordinary dark asses will not suffice and all personnel who do not have the special rotective must be glasses, which will be issued in limited numbers by TG 7. facing 180 degrees from the detonation with the eyes clos d. The emission of dangerous nuclear radiation can be sepafated into two time periods. The primary radiation which occurs at the time of the flash is composed of gamma rays and neutrons. Casualt]Jes may result from this primary radiation if the exposure occurs certain range of ground zero. Secondary radiation is due tivation of the soil around ground zero and to fall-out. fo the ac- e. Following the detonation, personnel entering shot areas exposed to beta particles and gamma rays coming from induc ill be hazard from the unfissioned fissionable materials which may} be depos- neutron activity in the soil and any fission products which might Have been deposited on the ground. There may also be a potential alpha particle ited on the ground. 462